Kia Sportage Recall R/2003/156: Possible Loss Of Steering, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 20 Oct 2003
- Launched
- 1,230
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2003/156
- DVSA reference
Kia recalled Sportage vehicles built between 1 November 2002 and 30 April 2003. The steering intermediate shaft securing bolts may have been incorrectly torqued. The recall notice describes the fix as: retorque securing bolts. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The steering intermediate shaft securing bolts may have been incorrectly torqued.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING Defect: There is a possibility that the steering intermediate shaft securing bolts may have been incorrectly torqued. Remedy: Recall affected vehicles and retorque securing bolts
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: possible loss of steering.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: retorque securing bolts.
Are You Affected?
Sportage built between 1 November 2002 and 30 April 2003 may be included. Kia estimates 1,230 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Kia, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Kia.
- Book with any franchised Kia dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2003/156. See how to get a Kia recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SportageKia Sportage vacuum pump recall | Urgent | R/2024/500 | |
| Ceed, Optima, Sportage, StonicThe mesh filter inside the tandem pump may block causing insufficient oil supply and a risk of vacuum pump failure. If the pump fails there will be no vacuum assistance and the possibility of increased braking distance when applying the brake pedal | Urgent | R/2023/255 | |
| Niro HEV, SportageA combination of the instrument cluster software and electrical noise while the vehicle is starting may result in cluster booting errors | Low | R/2023/211 | |
| Soul, SportageDrivers seat belt may not operate correctly following a collision | Urgent | R/2014/036 | |
| Carens, Megentis, Optima, Sedona and 3 moreBrake lights may malfunction | Book soon | R/2013/055 |
This is one of 87 Kia recalls in DVSA’s data. The Kia recall launched before it was R/2003/092 on 24 Jul 2003, for the front seat belt buckles may not latch securely. The one launched after it was R/2003/162 on 10 Nov 2003, for reprogramming of ABS ecm. You can also see every Kia recall, the Kia Sportage recall history, all recalls launched in 2003 and steering recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2003/156, launched 20 October 2003. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.